Genesco Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2007 Results

March 7, 2007 at 7:36 AM EST
  -- Company Reports Fourth Quarter Diluted EPS of $1.36 Before Discontinued
                                Operations --

                   -- Outlines Guidance for Fiscal 2008 --

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported earnings before discontinued operations of $35.7 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, for the 14-week fourth quarter ended February 3, 2007, compared to $31.2 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, for the 13-week fourth quarter ended January 28, 2006. Earnings before discontinued operations for the fourth quarter of this year reflected SFAS 123R share-based compensation and restricted stock expense of $1.9 million before taxes, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $0.6 million before taxes, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter last year. In addition, this year's fourth quarter results benefited by approximately $0.01 per diluted share from the recognition of gift card related income and favorable litigation settlement offset by charges for expenses associated with the early termination of a licensing agreement and asset impairment charges in underperforming stores. The Company also recognized $0.02 in this year's fourth quarter income tax provision reflecting items that impacted the full year's effective income tax rate.

Net sales for the 14-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 increased 17% to $476.9 million, compared to $406.3 million for the 13-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Excluding the fourteenth week in fiscal 2007, the sales increase from the comparable 13-week period last year was approximately 11%.

For the 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2007, the Company reported earnings before discontinued operations of $68.2 million, or $2.61 per diluted share, compared to $62.6 million, or $2.38 per diluted share, for the 52-week fiscal year ended January 28, 2006. Earnings before discontinued operations for fiscal 2007 reflected SFAS 123R share-based compensation and restricted stock expense of $6.9 million before taxes, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $0.6 million before taxes, or $0.01 per diluted share for fiscal 2006. Fiscal 2007 results reflected the gift card income, favorable litigation settlement and early license termination charge discussed previously, as well as asset impairment charges for underperforming stores for the balance of the year, which in the aggregate reduced the fiscal year earnings by approximately $0.03 per diluted share, net. Fiscal 2006 results reflected charges for a litigation settlement, asset impairments and lease terminations of $2.3 million pretax or $0.05 per diluted share, net.

Net sales for the 53-week fiscal year 2007 increased 14% to $1.5 billion compared to $1.3 billion for the 52-week fiscal year 2006. Excluding the fifty-third week in fiscal 2007, the net sales increase from the comparable 52-week period last year was approximately 12%.

Genesco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, said, "We were pleased with our solid results for the fourth quarter. The Journeys Group, Johnston & Murphy Group and Dockers all outperformed expectations, although Underground Station Group and Hat World Group were affected by the ongoing softness in the urban market. We are implementing a number of strategies to improve the trends in these businesses; however, we expect that these businesses will continue to negatively impact our performance during the first half of fiscal 2008.

"Net sales at Journeys Group increased 22% to approximately $234 million and same store sales rose 6% in the fourth quarter. Journeys remains the destination retailer for branded footwear for young adults. With the ability to operate successfully in both mall and non-mall locations, we are confident that meaningful expansion opportunities still exist. Journeys Kidz also posted another quarter of excellent growth, with sales up 59% and same store sales up 8%. Based on the ongoing strength of Journeys Kidz, we now believe that there is an opportunity for it to become a 250 to 300 store chain. We also continue to be pleased with the performance of Shi by Journeys. We ended the year with 12 Shi by Journeys stores. While we continue to validate the concept, if it proves out, we believe that its merchandise and demographic positioning are suitable for at least 500 malls nationwide.

"Net sales in the Hat World Group increased 19% to approximately $116 million and same store sales declined 1%, compared to a 6% gain in the fourth quarter last year. We expect a challenging first quarter at Hat World, primarily due to ongoing weakness in the urban segment and Major League Baseball's on-field hat transition; however, we are forecasting improvement in the business throughout the balance of the year. Hat World remains a highly profitable, high-margin business, for which we see significant expansion opportunities, and we are increasing our total store target for Hat World to 1,200 to 1,300 stores.

"Net sales for the Underground Station Group, which includes the remaining Jarman stores, were $49 million. Same store sales declined 15%, compared to a 4% gain in the fourth quarter last year. Same store sales at Underground Station fell 15%, primarily due to continued softness in the men's athletic and urban markets in general. We are working to reposition Underground Station away from its athletic emphasis and back towards its original focus on casual and dress styles, but now with significantly more emphasis on the women's business. We expect performance improvements from this repositioning to be gradual, but steady.

"Johnston & Murphy's net sales increased 17% to approximately $57 million in the fourth quarter. Wholesale sales rose 12%, same store sales were up 5% and operating margin increased 380 basis points to 12.1%. Over the past three years, Johnston & Murphy's operating income has increased at a compound annual growth rate of 55%. We are pleased with the continuing success of our strategy to grow Johnston & Murphy sales and earnings by enhancing the brand image and improving the product line.

"Fourth quarter sales of Licensed Brands increased 51% to approximately $21 million. The Dockers Footwear product line continues to retail well, backlog is strong and we are excited about the response to the new product introductions from last fall and for the spring.

"We believe that we have identified our near-term challenges and that we are taking the appropriate steps to address them. Looking ahead, we remain very confident about our brands and our platform, and our view of our retail growth prospects has improved as we have successfully launched new brand extensions and identified additional expansion opportunities for many of our existing concepts."

Genesco outlined its guidance for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2008. The Company now expects sales of approximately $1.6 billion and diluted earnings per share of $2.78 to $2.81 for the year. For the first quarter, the Company expects sales of approximately $339 million to $341 million and earnings of approximately $0.28 per diluted share. The earnings per share estimates include expected SFAS 123R share-based compensation and restricted stock expense totaling approximately $0.20 per share for the fiscal year and $0.05 per share for the first quarter.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the Company's sales and earnings outlook and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include weakness in consumer demand for products sold by the Company, fashion trends that affect the sales or product margins of the Company's retail product offerings, changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period to period sales comparisons, changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers, disruptions in product supply or distribution, further unfavorable trends in foreign exchange rates and other factors affecting the cost of products, and competition in the Company's markets. Additional factors that could affect the Company's prospects and cause differences from expectations include the ability to open, staff and support additional retail stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels and to renew leases in existing stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels, variations from expected pension-related charges caused by conditions in the financial markets, and the outcome of litigation and environmental matters involving the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

The Company's live conference call on March 7, 2007, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's internet website, www.genesco.com. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software.

Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear, headwear and accessories in more than 2,000 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Shack, Hat Zone, Cap Factory, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.undergroundstation.com, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.lids.com, www.hatworld.com, and www.lidscyo.com. The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers brand. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may be accessed at its website www.genesco.com.



                                  GENESCO INC.

      Consolidated Earnings Summary

                                    Fourth Quarter       Fiscal Year Ended
      In Thousands                  2007      2006        2007        2006

      Net sales                   $476,861  $406,287  $1,460,478  $1,283,876
      Cost of sales                242,239   200,902     729,643     631,469
      Selling and administrative
       expenses                    175,208   151,898     608,685     537,327
      Restructuring and other,
       net                            (567)       (2)      1,105       2,253
      Earnings from operations      59,981    53,489     121,045     112,827
      Interest expense, net          2,905     2,416       9,927      10,357
      Earnings before income
       taxes from continuing
       operations                   57,076    51,073     111,118     102,470
      Income tax expense            21,414    19,877      42,871      39,844
      Earnings from continuing
       operations                   35,662    31,196      68,247      62,626

      Earnings from (provision
       for) discontinued
       operations, net                (314)       90        (601)         60
      Net Earnings                 $35,348   $31,286     $67,646     $62,686



      Earnings Per Share Information

      In Thousands (except per        Fourth Quarter       Fiscal Year Ended
       share amounts)                 2007      2006        2007        2006
      Preferred dividend
       requirements                    $64       $64        $256        $273

      Average common shares -
       Basic EPS                    22,269    23,193      22,646      22,804

      Basic earnings per share:
        Before discontinued
         operations                  $1.60     $1.34       $3.00       $2.73
        Net earnings                 $1.58     $1.35       $2.98       $2.74

      Average common and common
       equivalent shares -
       Diluted EPS                  26,704    27,672      27,068      27,265

      Diluted earnings per share:
        Before discontinued
         operations                  $1.36     $1.15       $2.61       $2.38
        Net earnings                 $1.35     $1.15       $2.59       $2.38



            GENESCO INC.

      Consolidated Earnings Summary

                                     Fourth Quarter        Fiscal Year Ended
      In Thousands                   2007      2006        2007        2006

      Sales:
        Journeys Group            $234,329  $192,635    $696,889    $593,516
        Underground Station Group   49,215    53,637     155,069     164,054
        Hat World Group            115,944    97,739     342,641     297,271
        Johnston & Murphy Group     56,565    48,518     186,979     170,015
        Licensed Brands             20,663    13,665      78,422      58,730
        Corporate and Other            145        93         478         290
        Net Sales                 $476,861  $406,287  $1,460,478  $1,283,876

      Operating Income (Loss):
        Journeys Group             $37,489   $31,076     $83,835     $73,346
        Underground Station Group    3,817     6,990       3,844      10,890
        Hat World Group             19,025    17,778      41,359      40,133
        Johnston & Murphy Group      6,837     4,044      15,337      10,396
        Licensed Brands              1,387       622       6,777       4,167
        Corporate and Other*        (8,574)   (7,021)    (30,107)    (26,105)
        Earnings from operations    59,981    53,489     121,045     112,827
        Interest, net                2,905     2,416       9,927      10,357

      Earnings before income taxes
       from continuing operations   57,076    51,073     111,118     102,470

      Income tax expense            21,414    19,877      42,871      39,844
      Earnings from continuing
       operations                   35,662    31,196      68,247      62,626

      Earnings from (provision
       for) discontinued
       operations                     (314)       90        (601)         60
      Net Earnings                 $35,348   $31,286     $67,646     $62,686

    * Includes $0.6 million of other income and $1.1 million of other charges
      in the fourth quarter and year of Fiscal 2007, respectively, which
      includes $0.5 million and $2.2 million of charges for asset impairment,
      lease terminations and the termination of a small license agreement
      offset by $1.1 million of income for gift card breakage and a
      litigation settlement in the fourth quarter and year of Fiscal 2007,
      respectively. Includes $0.6 million of other charges for asset
      impairment and lease terminations and a $1.7 million charge for a
      litigation settlement in Fiscal 2006.



                                   GENESCO INC.

     Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                February 3,        January 28,
     In Thousands                                  2007               2006

     Assets
     Cash and cash equivalents                     $16,739            $60,451
     Accounts receivable                            24,084             21,171
     Inventories                                   264,022            230,648
     Other current assets                           33,205             28,918
     Total current assets                          338,050            341,188
     Property and equipment                        222,334            188,047
     Other non-current assets                      171,974            156,883
     Total Assets                                 $732,358           $686,118

     Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
     Accounts payable                              $68,067            $73,929
     Current portion - long-term debt                    -                  -
     Other current liabilities                      69,653             82,273
     Total current liabilities                     137,720            156,202
     Long-term debt                                109,250            106,250
     Other long-term liabilities                    80,162             74,915
     Shareholders' equity                          405,226            348,751
     Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $732,358           $686,118



                                    GENESCO INC.

       Retail Units Operated - Twelve Months Ended February 03, 2007

                                       Balance                        Balance
                                       01/29/05   Open   Conv  Close  01/28/06

        Journeys Group                    695      71     0       5      761
            Journeys                      654      60     0       4      710
            Journeys Kidz                  41      10     0       1       50
            Shi by Journeys                 0       1     0       0        1
        Underground Station Group         229      21     0      21      229
            Underground Station           165      21     2       8      180
            Jarman Retail                  64       0    (2)     13       49
        Hat World Group                   552      96     0       7      641
        Johnston & Murphy Group           142       5     0       5      142
            Shops                         107       4     0       4      107
            Factory Outlets                35       1     0       1       35
        Total Retail Units              1,618     193     0      38    1,773



                                       Acquisi-                       Balance
                                        tions     Open   Conv  Close  02/03/07

        Journeys Group                             96     0       4      853
            Journeys                               61     0       3      768
            Journeys Kidz                          24     0       1       73
            Shi by Journeys                        11     0       0       12
        Underground Station Group                  11     0      17      223
            Underground Station                    11     3       1      193
            Jarman Retail                           0    (3)     16       30
        Hat World Group                    49     104     0       9      785
        Johnston & Murphy Group                    13     0       7      148
            Shops                                   7     0       5      109
            Factory Outlets                         6     0       2       39
        Total Retail Units                 49     224     0      37    2,009



      Retail Units Operated - Three Months Ended February 03, 2007

                              Balance   Acquisi-                      Balance
                              10/28/06   tions    Open   Conv  Close  02/03/07

    Journeys Group              829                25     0       1      853
      Journeys                  751                17     0       0      768
      Journeys Kidz              68                 6     0       1       73
      Shi by Journeys            10                 2     0       0       12
    Underground Station Group   229                 1     0       7      223
      Underground Station       193                 1     0       1      193
      Jarman Retail              36                 0     0       6       30
    Hat World Group             718      49        21     0       3      785
    Johnston & Murphy Group     149                 2     0       3      148
      Shops                     110                 1     0       2      109
      Factory Outlets            39                 1     0       1       39
    Total Retail Units        1,925      49        49     0      14    2,009



    Constant Store Sales

                                Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                             February 03, January 28, February 03, January 28,
                                 2007        2006         2007        2006

    Journeys Group                 6%         10%           6%          7%
    Underground Station Group    -15%          4%         -10%          7%
      Underground Station        -15%          6%          -9%         10%
      Jarman Retail              -16%         -2%         -12%         -1%
    Hat World Group               -1%          6%          -1%          4%
    Johnston & Murphy Group        5%          9%           3%          7%
      Shops                        5%         10%           3%          7%
      Factory Outlets              6%          5%           1%          5%
    Total Constant Store Sales     1%          9%           2%          7%



                 Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure

                Fifty-third/Fourteenth Week Incremental Sales
                                  By Segment

The estimated contribution of the fifty-third week of the fiscal year and the fourteenth week of the fiscal quarter (the "final week") to the sales increase in the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 3, 2007, is based upon actual retail sales and an estimated incremental wholesale sales for the final week, as follows:


      Journeys Group                                       $12,275
      Underground Station Group                              3,218
      Hat World Group                                        5,200
      Johnston & Murphy Group                                3,265*
      Licensed Brands                                          790*
          Total                                            $24,748*

* Reflects estimated incremental wholesale sales for the final week. Wholesale sales are recognized upon shipment. The Company believes that a portion of the shipments that occurred in the final week would have occurred during the quarter even if it had not included the final week. Its estimate of the amount of such sales is excluded from the numbers noted.

The Company believes that a comparison of sales from periods of identical length is relevant to investors' view of the significance of the period-to- period change.

SOURCE  Genesco Inc.
    -0-                             03/07/2007
    /CONTACT:  Financial Contact, James S. Gulmi, +1-615-367-8325, or Media
Contact, Claire S. McCall, +1-615-367-8283, both of Genesco Inc./
    /Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/352750.html /
    /Web site:  http://www.genesco.com /
    (GCO)

CO:  Genesco Inc.
ST:  Tennessee
IN:  TEX REA
SU:  ERN ERP CCA

KM-JK
-- CLW041 --
7418 03/07/2007 07:34 EST http://www.prnewswire.com

Subscribe